Tunisians protest against proposed reforms on women’s rights

Hundreds of Tunisians on Saturday rallied in the capital Tunis and protested against proposed reforms mainly aimed at enhancing women’s rights in the country.

In 2017, Tunisian President, Beji Essebsi formed a commission to review the country’s rights laws including those related to women’s inheritance shares, a move that has sparked controversy inside Tunisia and across the Muslim world.

Under Islamic Sharia law, a Muslim daughter inherits half the share a son gets.

In June, the commission disclosed its proposals, which include granting women equal inheritance rights to men and decriminalising homosexuality, a taboo in many countries.

Protesters, including clerics, gathered outside the parliament building on Saturday in Tunis and raised placards reading “No to alteration of God’s words”; and “Tunisians abide by Islam’s teachings.”

Some demonstrators raised copies of Islam’s holy book, the Koran, and condemned the suggested liberal reforms as un-Islamic and “destructive” to Tunisia’s identity.

Tunisia’s constitution, adopted in 2014, stipulates that Islam is the religion of the state.

Liberal groups plan to march in Tunis in a show of backing for the proposed reforms on Monday when Tunisia marks Women’s Day.

Essebsi is expected on Monday to unveil draft laws that will go to parliament.

Tunisia has long been seen as progressive in boosting women’s rights compared to other Arab countries.